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🏥 Protect your Health

Complete guide to prepare your health and choose the best medical coverage in the Philippines.

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💉 Recommended Vaccinations

Protect yourself against tropical diseases

Hepatitis A and B

Recommended

Protection against viral hepatitis

Timing:
2-4 weeks before departure
Cost:
$65-90

📝 Important Notes:

  • Combined vaccination available
  • Lifetime immunity after full course
  • Highly recommended for everyone

Typhoid

Recommended

Prevention of typhoid fever

Timing:
2-3 weeks before departure
Cost:
$40-55

📝 Important Notes:

  • Effective for 3 years
  • Recommended for long stays
  • Injection or pills

Japanese Encephalitis

Recommended

Protection against Japanese encephalitis

Timing:
4-6 weeks before departure
Cost:
$220-330

📝 Important Notes:

  • Recommended for rural areas
  • Stays > 1 month
  • 2 injections required

Rabies

Recommended

Pre-exposure rabies prevention

Timing:
4-6 weeks before departure
Cost:
$165-220

📝 Important Notes:

  • Recommended if contact with animals
  • 3 injections over 1 month
  • Simpler post-exposure treatment

Meningitis

Recommended

Protection against meningitis

Timing:
2-3 weeks before departure
Cost:
$55-80

📝 Important Notes:

  • Recommended for young adults
  • Effective 3-5 years
  • Particularly in rainy season

DTP Update

Recommended

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio

Timing:
Check validity
Cost:
$30-45

📝 Important Notes:

  • Booster every 10 years
  • Recommended (mandatory in many countries)
  • Check your vaccination record

🛡️ Health Insurance

Choose the coverage adapted to your situation

Travel Insurance

Temporary coverage for short stays

$25-55/month

Coverage:

  • Emergency medical expenses
  • Medical repatriation
  • Trip cancellation
  • Lost/stolen luggage

Providers:

SafetyWingWorld NomadsAllianz Travel
⭐ Recommended

Expat Insurance

Comprehensive coverage for residents

$90-220/month

Coverage:

  • Full medical care
  • Hospitalization
  • Maternity
  • Dental and optical
  • Repatriation

Providers:

April InternationalCigna GlobalAetna

Local Insurance

Philippine health system

$35-110/month

Coverage:

  • PhilHealth (mandatory)
  • Private HMOs
  • Corporate insurance
  • Basic coverage

Providers:

PhilHealthMaxicareMedicardIntellicare

💡 Health Tips

Stay healthy in the tropics

Disease Prevention

  • Drink bottled water only
  • Avoid ice in drinks
  • Wash hands frequently
  • Use hand sanitizer
  • Avoid street food the first months

Mosquito Protection

  • DEET 30-50% repellent
  • Long clothes in the evening
  • Impregnated mosquito net
  • Air conditioning when possible
  • Eliminate stagnant water

Medical Kit

  • Paracetamol and Ibuprofen
  • Anti-diarrheal (Imodium)
  • Oral rehydration salts (ORS)
  • Antiseptic and bandages
  • Digital thermometer

🏥 Medical Facilities

Recommended hospitals and clinics by city

Manila

Quality:
Excellent
Cost:
High

Recommended Hospitals:

  • Makati Medical Center
  • St. Luke's Medical Center
  • Asian Hospital
  • The Medical City

Cebu

Quality:
Very Good
Cost:
Moderate

Recommended Hospitals:

  • Cebu Doctors' University Hospital
  • Chong Hua Hospital
  • Vicente Sotto Memorial
  • Perpetual Succour Hospital

Davao

Quality:
Good
Cost:
Moderate

Recommended Hospitals:

  • Southern Philippines Medical Center
  • Davao Medical School Foundation
  • Brokenshire Memorial Hospital
  • San Pedro Hospital

🚨 Emergency Numbers

Police: 117
Fire: 116
Ambulance: 911
Tourist Police: +63 2 8524 1611
US Embassy: +63 2 5301 2000
UK Embassy: +63 2 8858 2200

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